Julie M. Strandlie serves as Legislative & Public Policy Director for the National Employment Lawyers Association (NELA) and Director of Law and Policy for The Employee Rights Advocacy Institute for Law and Policy. Prior to joining NELA, for over 12 years, Ms. Strandlie was the American Bar Association’s Director of Grassroots Operations and Legislative Counsel for Civil Legal Services (funding for the Legal Services Corporation) and Labor/Employment law issues. During her career in DC, Ms. Strandlie has worked on Capitol Hill, for large law firms (Patton Boggs), and for small law firms with national litigation and lobbying practices. Prior to joining the ABA, she had her own law practice during which time she served as the University of Florida’s Washington Representative. Ms. Strandlie is a graduate of the University of Florida, Georgetown University Law Center, and two University of Virginia Sorensen Institute Political Leadership Programs. She is also an h onorary member of Florida Blue Key.